Jack Van Rijn has announced his bid for re-election as Coaldale's mayor. (Photo: Jack Van Rijn)

By David Opinko

Coaldale mayor running for re-election

May 7, 2025 | 9:08 AM

After collectively announcing his re-election bid last month alongside all current members of Coaldale town council, the mayor is highlighting his key achievements from the past four years.

Jack Van Rijn will seek his second term in the 2025 municipal election.

He says that he, council and administration have fostered a culture of collaboration, efficiency and innovation to ensure projects are completed on time, on budget and with an eye toward sustainability.

Van Rijn highlighted the “incredible team” at the Town of Coaldale.

“From our dedicated members of Council to our hard working town staff, together we work seamlessly to ensure not only that red tape is reduced, investment is coming in and jobs are being created but also, that services are being maintained while critical infrastructure gets built,” says Van Rijn. “Our pro-business approach, combined with our commitment to making smart, strategic investments, has helped to make Coaldale one of the most competitive and attractive communities in Alberta.”

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The mayor listed his key accomplishments from his first term, which include:

• Annual Funding Policing Equalization Grant: On Friday, April 12, 2024, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Mike Ellis, travelled to Coaldale to announce that Coaldale will no longer be required to pay for RCMP policing at 100% of the cost. By providing the town with an annual policing equalization grant of $550,000, the province has offset Coaldale’s uniquely high policing costs to rectify a longstanding federal injustice toward the town.
• NewCold’s Investment: On April 29, 2024, a global leader in advanced automated warehouse and cold chain logistics called NewCold announced a landmark $222 million investment to build a state-of-the-art cold storage facility in Coaldale’s industrial park. This facility will create over 50 permanent jobs and up to 200 construction positions thereby strengthening the local economy and supporting Alberta’s growing agri-food sector.
• Shift Community Recreation Centre: On July 3, 2024, the town officially opened the Shift Community Recreation Centre. This 55,000 square foot facility features basketball, volleyball and squash courts and an enviable indoor play structure. It also boasts an indoor soccer/lacrosse field, a walking/running track, as well as leasable spaces within the facility, including a fitness centre and a daycare with indoor and outdoor play areas.
• Southern Alberta Summer Games: From July 3-6, 2024, Coaldale proudly hosted the Southern Alberta Summer Games. We welcomed nearly 1,800 athletes and coaches from across the province to compete in 19 events. The successful event highlighted the town’s strong community spirit and organizational capabilities.
• Malloy Landing Subdivision: In summer, 2024, construction began on phase 1 of a new residential subdivision in Coaldale’s northwest corner called Malloy Landing. The subdivision is expected to accommodate 1,200 to 1,500 new residents over the next 5-10 years and lots are now available for purchase.
• Canal Crossing Subdivision: In March 2025, ground broke on the new mixeduse Canal Crossings housing development on the south side of Coaldale by the Quads Recreational Complex. This project will see the reconstruction and widening of 17th Street south of the canal, and will add to the diversity of housing choices available in Coaldale.
• 845 Developments Industrial Park: With serviced industrial lots fully sold out in the Town’s Industrial Park Development, a group of local investors – known as 845 Developments – undertook the construction of a 90-acre industrial park along the eastern boundary of Highway 845 in Coaldale, creating much needed supply. Not only is this development bringing new investment to Coaldale, it features the 12th Avenue direct access to Highway 845, which also creates a bypass route to Highway 3.
• Potable Water Reservoir and Pump Station: On August 6, 2024, the town officially broke ground on a new potable water reservoir and pump station. Once complete, this reservoir will more than double the town’s water storage capacity from 3,400 m³ to 8,300 m³ ensuring long term water sustainability to support future growth. The project’s total cost exceeds $13 million with $4.5 million in grant funding from the Government of Alberta.
• MPE Link Pathway: On August 8, 2024, Coaldale unveiled the first phase of a 4.7 km rural bike path connecting the town to Highway 512 and will eventually connect to Lethbridge. This project promotes outdoor recreation and provides residents with a new active transportation route.
• Prairie Winds Secondary School: On October 4, 2024, Palliser School Division official opened Prairie Winds Secondary School which serves Grades 7-12 and has a capacity of up to 855 students. The school is connected to the Shift Community Recreation Centre allowing shared access to state-of-the-art recreational amenities.
• Civic Plaza: Late November 2024 saw this inviting outdoor gathering space adjacent to the Civic Square town hall which serves as Coaldale’s ‘community living room’. Designed as an inclusive public space it features seating areas, green spaces, pathways and an outdoor skating rink and will foster year round community engagement.
• Golf Cart Pilot Program: In spring, 2025, Coaldale will become one of the first Alberta towns to allow golf carts on select roads as part of a new provincial pilot program. This five year initiative aims to provide flexible transportation options for residential developments bordering the Land-O-Lakes Golf & Country Club.

If he were to be elected for a second term, Van Rijn said he would prioritize infrastructure and utility upgrades, community development and economic growth, and public safety and healthcare.

READ MORE: All of Coaldale town council seeking re-election this fall

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